Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Huh?!
The clear and loud voice echoed in the open hall, shocking the people who were cursing Chen Ling'an and making them open their mouths wide. They all looked towards the source of the voice, wanting to see who this little girl who openly defended the evil traitor was.
Although she was only sixteen or seventeen years old, her pretty face was full of anger, and a bit of stubbornness.
While others were still wondering which family this girl came from, Mrs. Qin was already furious.
What a good Zhang Xiaoman, he actually calls the traitor Chen Lingan "brother"!
Just as he was about to scold him, his son secretly stopped him.
Liu Jinshu was not as angry as his mother. His eyes swept between Chen Ling'an and Zhang Xiaoman, and no one knew what he was thinking.
Chen Ling'an was also looking at the little girl in front of him. Surprise, suspicion, vigilance... all kinds of emotions emerged in his eyes, and then disappeared. His pupils were dark again, without a trace of fluctuation.
Facing everyone's gaze, Zhang Xiaoman's cheeks flushed red. He was agitated and angry, yet he couldn't help but feel sorry for Chen Ling'an. "You're not right. He's a good man, the best man in the world!"
"You are wrongly accusing someone and are only bullying him by relying on your numbers."
By the end, his voice was filled with tears.
Bullying Chen Ling'an? This time, not only the people from the Marquis' Mansion, but even the Jinyiwei's expressions gradually became strange, as if they had heard a huge joke and wanted to laugh but didn't dare to.
"Xiaoman!"
A burst of hurried footsteps drew everyone's attention to the door. Mrs. Jiang arrived panting, followed by Zhang Junyi who was also panting.
"Mother!" Zhang Xiaoman's eyes lit up, and she pointed at Chen Ling'an and said, "He was the neighbor who saved me. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't know where I would have been. During my time in Xuanfu, I received a lot of care from him."
Mrs. Jiang was so frightened that her heart was about to explode. This silly child didn't even think about it. Regardless of whether the Zhang family could still tolerate him, how could she afford to provoke this evildoer? In the end, he didn't even know how he died!
Worry overcame fear. She pushed away Zhang Junyi who was supporting her and hurriedly grabbed Zhang Xiaoman's wrist, "You've got the wrong person. Go back with your mother."
Zhang Xiaoman said quickly, "I can't be wrong. His features haven't changed much. I've been thinking about him for nine years, picturing his appearance in my mind every day. Even if he turned to ash, I'd recognize him!"
Why does this sound so awkward? The big lieutenant's mouth twitched twice, and his eyes couldn't help but glance up at the peak.
Chen Ling'an's eyes moved slightly, but he still didn't say anything.
Silence also means acceptance!
Everyone looked at Zhang Xiaoman with increasingly meaningful eyes.
Zhang Junyi didn't expect that they were actually old acquaintances. He was stunned for a moment, then secretly glanced at Liu Jinshu, and his heart became cold again.
Anyway, things have come to this point, and she can't get away with it, so she might as well add fuel to the fire.
She mustered up the courage to step forward and said, "Third sister, you're out of your mind. You're here for a blind date with Liu's cousin, how can you speak for the people who arrested him?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall became even more strange. Not only did the two ladies, Jiang and Qin, look increasingly unhappy, but even Liu Jinshu felt embarrassed.
Zhang Xiaoman ignored her and just stared at Chen Ling'an, his eyes sparkling. "Brother Ling'an, I'm Xiaoman. You didn't expect to find me in the capital, did you? I found my parents! And you? Where have you been these past nine years? You never came back, not even a letter."
She chattered on and on, and Chen Ling'an listened silently. When she died down, he slowly said, "Are you here to plead for Liu Jinshu?"
Zhang Xiaoman was stunned. He never expected that his first question would be this.
Of course it's for him!
But to be honest, the Liu family's reputation has been completely torn apart by her, and my father will definitely be furious.
It should be said that she sneaked here because she was worried about the safety of Mr. Liu, but she accidentally recognized her childhood sweetheart.
This would be lying to Chen Ling'an.
She doesn't like it.
I don't like his tone even more, which is like he's interrogating a criminal.
Zhang Xiaoman couldn't help but look at the person she had been missing for nine years again.
His face was more angular than before, and his eyes were unfamiliar, scrutinizing, and even a little cold. There was not a trace of joy in meeting an old friend.
If it was the Chen Lingan of nine years ago, he would just laugh and ruffle her hair, and amid her complaints, ask her if she was doing well and if she was being bullied.
Now……
The early summer wind rustled the shade of the trees, the iron horses under the eaves made long and crisp clattering sounds, and light and shadow entangled on the window screen.
The boiling passion slowly cooled, and Zhang Xiaoman suddenly felt very aggrieved. "Are you going to arrest me and put me in prison too?"
Tears were already welling up in her eyes.
Chen Ling'an was silent for a moment, then bent down slightly. "You're still as naive as you were when you were little."
As he spoke, he took out a handkerchief and handed it over, "You're already at the age for a blind date..."
The voice was low and gentle, with a hint of emotion, and a little more warmth than before.
Chen Ling'an actually spoke like this! People opened their eyes wide in surprise, looking at Zhang Xiaoman with flickering eyes.
"You remembered me!" Zhang Xiaoman was visibly happy. He took the handkerchief and looked at his stepmother again, with an embarrassed look on his face.
Normally, she should introduce Chen Ling'an to her stepmother at this time, and then have her stepmother say a few polite words. However, seeing that her stepmother looked extremely apprehensive, it was obvious that she was just daydreaming.
Sure enough, Mrs. Jiang glared at her fiercely, and when she looked at Chen Ling'an again, her eyes were as if she was looking at a human trafficker who abducted her own daughter!
Chen Ling'an didn't take it seriously and suddenly asked, "Master Liu, since you're here, why are you hiding behind and peeking?"
Only then did people notice Liu Fang standing under the shade of a tree in front of the hall.
The two sides were on the verge of fighting, but Liu Fang remained calm.
He slowly walked into the open hall, first looking at his wife and son in a reassuring manner, then smiled at Chen Ling'an without any hostility, "Master Chen is still so resolute and decisive in his actions."
Chen Ling'an bowed slightly, but did not respond, waiting for his next words.
"Everyone, sit down, everyone, why is there no tea?"
Liu Fang took out a small bright yellow paper bag from his sleeve, still with that smile on his face.
"The Emperor just gifted me a new tea called Dongding Oolong. It came from Jilong Mountain. There were only two catties in total. I got one ounce, and Lord Chen got three ounces. Come, make some tea, and Lord Chen will taste it with me."
When Chen Ling'an heard the three words "Lord Chen", his brows moved.
The servant served tea tremblingly. Liu Fang made a "please" gesture, took a sip, praised it three times, and then asked about his son slowly.
Chen Ling'an said, "Young Master Ling is a dashing and charming man, with a lot of romantic affairs. This is a harmless matter, but when it involves the family of a convicted official, it's not something that can be dismissed as a 'romantic affair.'"
Liu Fang's face immediately turned serious. "If my son has truly violated the law, Lord Chen, I will personally send him to the Imperial Prison without any further action!"
Chen Ling'an threw a letter on the table and said, "I won't drink the tea. Please take care of yourself from now on, Master Ling."
Liu Fang's smile widened, and he put the letter away. "I'll treat Master Chen to a drink some other day."
This conversation left everyone confused. They looked at each other, not knowing what the two of them were up to.
Liu Jinshu was quick-witted and had already guessed that the target of Chen Ling'an's trip was not him, but Lord Chen.
A while ago, Chen Ge Lao took in a concubine. The concubine was originally the wife of a convicted official, and because she had met him a few times, she privately begged him to find a way out. Coincidentally, Chen Ge Lao's favorite concubine had died, so he acted as a matchmaker, helping the woman escape from the pit of misery and relieving Chen Ge Lao's loneliness.
But according to the rules set by the Grandfather, the wives of criminals could only be awarded to meritorious officials, not civil servants. Chen Ling'an must have seized on this point and suddenly launched an attack.
This matter is not a big deal. There have been several precedents in the court, and this rule has long been in name only.
Chen Ling'an arrested him simply to force him to confess and frame him with charges to bring down Lord Chen.
My father must have received the news in advance and made preparations. What he said just now was to tell Chen Ling'an that the matter had been made clear to the emperor and there was no point in pursuing it.
No matter how rampant Chen Ling'an was, he dared not go against the emperor's will.
Liu Jinshu took a deep breath.
The people in green and blue robes beside them also relaxed visibly.
Chen Ling'an raised his chin towards those people and said, "Please invite these people to the Northern Pacification Office for tea."
"Master Chen!" Liu Fang said loudly, "In the heat of the moment, it's unavoidable that some words may offend. We are all colleagues. Master Chen, please forgive them where you can and don't hold it against them."
Chen Ling'an: "If I don't care, then am I still Chen Ling'an?"
Liu Fang stopped his furious brother-in-law, still smiling, "Since you insist on doing this, don't blame me for reporting it to the emperor."
"Go ahead." Chen Ling'an waved his hand, and there was a crackling sound. The Jinyiwei happily took away the officials who came with Qin Boyan.
"Oh..." Zhang Xiaoman hesitated to speak.
Chen Ling'an stopped.
"I'm leaving now," Zhang Xiaoman muttered softly, "Do you know where I live?"
"I know." Chen Ling'an smiled. "I've heard about the Zhang family's newly found third daughter before, but I didn't expect that person to be you. I'm busy now, I'll talk to you after I'm done."
His smile was very faint, and if it were on an ordinary person's face it couldn't even be called a smile, but he usually always had a cold face or no expression at all, so this smile had a bit of a "earth-shattering" flavor.
Zhang Xiaoman nodded heavily, staring at Chen Lingan's receding back, not noticing the strange looks from others.
Mrs. Jiang sighed silently.
As the sun set in the west and the banquet ended, Mrs. Jiang returned to the Zhang Mansion tiredly with her two children.
Zhang Wen was already waiting in the small flower hall, with Aunt Yao standing beside him, looking humble and submissive. When Madam Jiang came in, she trembled a little.
Mrs. Jiang was furious when she saw her like this. "Who are you trying to show off to with this frivolous look? You're not self-disciplined yourself, and you've corrupted a good child!"
Aunt Yao was about to cry, "A thousand mistakes are all my fault. Madam, you can punish me in any way you want. I only ask Madam not to take your anger out on the Fourth Young Lady, and especially not to get angry with the Master."
Mrs. Jiang sneered, "Nonsense, if it weren't for you instigating this, wouldn't this have happened? Don't play tricks on me. You're trying to sow discord with just a few words. Anyone who listens to you is a fool."
Zhang Wen, who was about to support his concubine: Uh...
Mrs. Jiang sat on the left side of the eight-immortal table against the north wall with a gloomy face and briefly recounted what had happened today.
Zhang Wen had only heard rumors of the Jinyiwei arresting people, and had no idea his family was involved. Shocked and confused, he couldn't make sense of anything. He stared at Zhang Xiaoman and asked, "How do you know him?"
There was nothing to hide, so Zhang Xiaoman frankly told the story of their past.
The room was silent for a moment. An extremely complicated expression crossed Zhang Wen's face. He suddenly slammed the table and said, "Such a big thing, why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Zhang Xiaoman also felt aggrieved, "I wanted to say it, but you were impatient to listen. Besides, I didn't know he was him!"
Mrs. Jiang hurriedly advised, "This incident happened suddenly. In two days, the news will spread all over the capital. Master, please think about how to deal with it quickly."
Zhang Wen held his forehead and sighed, "What can I do? My children's debts are really killing me..."
Mrs. Jiang glanced at Zhang Junyi coldly. "I'm also curious about one thing. How did Xiaoman know that the person coming was Chen Ling'an?"
Zhang Junyi broke out in a cold sweat and said hurriedly, "The person Third Sister asked me to find earlier was called Chen Ling'an. Seeing how anxious she was, I... I tried to persuade Third Sister not to go, saying it would bring trouble to our family, but she wouldn't listen. I was helpless."
Aunt Yao's mind raced, thinking of getting her daughter out of trouble first. "Xiao Man, you're so rash and willful. How could you recognize that man? Now, not only have we offended the Liu family and the Marquis' Mansion, I'm afraid all the officials in the court will regard our family as a thorn in their side."
She hit the nail on the head with Zhang Wen's concerns, and instantly her anger rushed to her head, "Jun Yi explained the pros and cons to you clearly, and you still went to him! As soon as you returned to Beijing, you made my Zhang family the laughing stock of the whole city, and now you have caused our entire family to be in turmoil. I shouldn't have recognized you in the first place."
These words were too harsh. Even if Zhang Xiaoman wanted to argue, he knew that his father would not listen at all.
Just remain silent.
Zhang Wen was even more furious and ordered her to be sent to a farm in the countryside. "She is not allowed to go out or have any private contact. From now on, it's as if the Zhang family doesn't have this daughter."
Mrs. Jiang immediately stopped him. "It's clear that the fourth girl has ulterior motives. She's only concerned with competing for men and not caring about your father's career. Yet you blame Xiaoman for everything. Without even asking, you're so eager to distance yourself from the matter and express your stance. You're a second-rank official after all. Can't you show some courage?"
"What do you know?" Zhang Wen shouted. "Regardless of the circumstances, given her closeness to that traitor, how can I survive in the court if I don't punish her?"
Zhang Xiaoman suddenly looked up and knelt down. "My daughter doesn't want to embarrass you, Master, nor does she want to be locked up forever. We are not destined to be together. Please remove me from the Zhang family. From now on, my life, death, honor, or disgrace will have nothing to do with the Zhang family."
Mrs. Jiang was shocked. "Don't say such angry words. Where will you go if you leave the Zhang family?"
"Go find Chen Ling'an," Zhang Xiaoman said, a barely perceptible cunning flashing in his eyes. "He said that if you encounter any difficulties, you can go to the Northern Pacification Division to find him."
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